Claire Wilson
RELATIVES of patients with mental health conditions feel greater stigma than those with general medical conditions.
Spanish researchers found relatives of those with drug and alcohol dependency or a mental illness, felt embarrassed to admit someone in their family was afflicted.
A team from the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute were behind the study, which analysed past surveys carried out by the World Health Organisation in 28 countries.
Lead researcher Jordi Alonso, said: “Previous studies have focused on the embarrassment felt by the individual with the illness, but ours was the first to assess such emotions in family members in a large-scale study.
“We suggest anti-stigma campaigns also include relatives within their target audience.”
RELATIVES of patients with mental health conditions feel greater ‘stigma’ than those with general medical conditions.
I am sure this is true of some, one cannot conflate that some with the whole.
Harold A. Maio, retired Mental Health Editor
This is not unique to Spain of course – check out how many Celebs have come to the fore to talk about their mental illnesses, to try to promote better understanding of the numerous mental illnesses. (Stephen Fry eg)